AUGUST 2016
BECAUSE OF YOU, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GIVE L IV E S A RE FOREV E R CHA NGE D REV. GLENN CRANFIELD
President and CEO
G I V E G E N E R O U S LY TO THEM AND DO SO WITHOUT A GRUDGING H E A R T; T H E N B E C A U S E OF THIS THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BLESS YOU IN ALL YOUR WORK AND IN EVERY THING YOU PUT Y O U R H A N D T O. DEUTERONOMY 15: 10 N I V
HOPE LIVES HERE
I
think you will enjoy reading this month’s cover story. Robert shares his incredible testimony of how his life has changed since graduating from the Mission’s Life Recovery Program in 2009. His powerful story is because of you. It’s because of your faithful and consistent giving that Robert’s life and many others are forever changed. When you give, you are providing hot meals for a hungry child, safe shelter for a single woman, case management for a homeless man, and help to men and women
Meet Robert, a graduate of Nashville Rescue Mission’s Life Recovery Program. Watch his story online at: nashvillerescuemission.org/robert
2 HEART of the MISSION / August 2016
preparing for employment. You are making a difference! When we counsel the man who is battling addiction, care for a woman who has suffered abuse, give a child a safe place to play while mom gets the help she needs, or teach men and women new skills that will equip them for better career opportunities—lives are transformed. You make that possible. We can only do this because of you and your faithful support. Because when you give, lives are forever changed. Thank you.
ANDREA
Jaxson
Mission
IN MY WORDS
I was blessed to attend Nashville Rescue Mission’s Hearts of Hope luncheon this past February. This event truly inspired me, and touched me personally in so many ways. I lost my mom in January of this year. As I listened to Sandy, who had graduated from the Mission’s Life Recovery Program in 2002, share her story about how the Mission had rescued her from a life of addiction—I could not help but relate to her story. My mom spent most of her life searching for answers, and she too turned to everything else except a relationship with Jesus Christ. I watched my mom just exist for many years and not really live. It is so hard to watch a loved one’s life being destroyed by the bondage of addiction. As Sandy spoke, I kept thinking to myself, “If it weren’t for Nashville Rescue Mission, her story could have ended in tragedy.”
“I’M REMINDED THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE DEALING WITH SERIOUS ISSUES.” As I have the opportunity to talk with men and women from around the country every night, I’m reminded that people from all walks of life are dealing with serious issues. Some are family issues or health issues, but many of them are deep issues of the heart. People are dealing with depression, loneliness, isolation, and simply a lack of hope. Often, these issues are what lead a person to turn to drugs and alcohol in an effort to numb the pain. Nashville Rescue Mission provides the hope and healing that is needed to help those struggling with addiction. There is no doubt in my mind that if my mom would have reached out to a resource like the Mission, her life would have been much different. They are meeting a real life-saving need in the community and in the lives of individuals who need hope and a future. Thank you Nashville Rescue Mission, for being the hands and feet to so many in need.
Andrea Jaxson is the host of “Night Light™ with Andrea,” which airs in Nashville on 94 FM the FISH, weeknights from 7:00 p.m. - midnight (94.1 FM, 93.7 FM, & 104.9 FM). For over 17 years Andrea has been entertaining listeners and is recognized as one of the top talents in radio. She has been voted “On Air Personality of the Year” by Program Director.Net and “Radio Person of the Day” by Radio Daily News.
August 2016 / HEART of the MISSION 3
BECAUSE OF YOU, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
“The day I walked through the doors of Nashville Rescue Mission was the day I was ready to give up,” said Robert. “I did decide to give up some things—drugs, alcohol, and selfish living—but because of the Mission, I didn’t give up hope.”
4 HEART of the MISSION / August 2016
By the time Robert was 30 years old, drugs were a controlling factor in his life. His addiction had destroyed three marriages and robbed him of over 40 years of his life. “When you consider all I’ve been through, it’s a wonder I’m still alive,” said Robert. “I accidentally hung myself at seven; at 14 my dad accidentally shot me while we were hunting; I’ve had two near drownings and one seriously bad car accident; all of that plus my struggle with addiction. I’ve been told many times by many different people that God had a plan for my life. I didn’t believe it for a long time. But today, at 63, I know He still has a plan for me.” TODAY, ROBERT IS HAPPILY MARRIED and has
accepted the call into ministry. For the past five years, he and his wife Deborah have been working with men and women who are incarcerated, offering them the same encouragement and hope he received at the Mission. “I would not be who I am today had I not gone to Nashville Rescue Mission. It was there I learned to put God first, and others second,” shared Robert. “Today, I know I can trust God. As it says in Matthew 6:33, I seek Him first. This knowledge gave me hope—and that hope has endured. My past didn’t matter anymore. My mistakes were not the end of the road. I had a hope and a future. And it all started at the Mission. Now I want to share my joy with others.”
today, Deborah and I have been happily married for over six years.” ROBERT FOUND HOPE and healing in many areas
of his life since that first day at the Mission. “At 55, I was finally able to let go of some trauma from my childhood because of lessons I learned while at the Mission … I was now able to cope and trust God to heal.” Robert has since reconnected with his father, grieved the loss of his mother, who had passed away in 2000, and is now able to minister to others who are in need of hope. “Addiction took away my ability to cope and connect. At the Mission, I learned how to care about others. Instead of taking, I now want to give back. I am so thankful for my life today. None of this would have been possible without Nashville Rescue Mission and the people who faithfully support the ministry,” said Robert. “All I can say is thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me and showing me that it’s never too late to start over.”
“ADDICTION TOOK AWAY MY ABILITY TO COPE AND CONNECT. INSTEAD OF TAKING, I NOW WANT TO GIVE BACK.” GOD OPENED A LOT OF DOORS for Robert following his graduation from the Mission’s Life Recovery Program in 2009. He found a good church home. He was on staff at the Mission for almost three years. It was also during that time Robert had another experience that changed the course of his life—he got married. “I will never forget the day I saw this young lady who bore a startling resemblance to someone I dated 30 years earlier,” said Robert. “I knew it couldn’t be her, but without thinking I instinctively called out … ‘Deborah.’ She turned around with a puzzled look and said, ‘Deborah’s my mother, I’m Tia.’ I’m still stunned that God would work out details like this. Life doesn’t happen that way. Or at least I didn’t think so. But God had a plan, and He used this situation to reintroduce me to someone I loved long ago. After such a long time, I wondered if she would still have a place in her heart for me. We did reconnect and
Robert is grateful for his new life. WITH YOUR HELP, Robert and others like him are finding
out it’s never too late to have a new beginning. God’s hope and healing is for everyone, regardless of a person’s past or circumstances. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry. August 2016 / HEART of the MISSION 5
VOLUNTEER
spotlight
Giving the gift of time >
Find out how this volunteer gives back
Aaron Pearson has spent the past two years, two times a week, for two hours at a time volunteering in the computer lab in the Men’s Guest Services area at Nashville Rescue Mission. Donating over 400 hours of service is something Aaron doesn’t think twice about.
“I’ve been on numerous mission trips overseas,” said Aaron. “No matter how many times I saw it, I never got used to seeing people live in gut-wrenching poverty. It did something to me. I guess you could say I’ve always had a heart for people whose life has handed them some tough blows. Those living at the Mission would certainly fall into this category. I’m glad I can give back and am grateful for the opportunity to serve those in need here at home.” 6 HEART of the MISSION / August 2016
“When the Mission opened up the computer lab four years ago, staffing it was a concern,” said Mike Tatar, lead case manager at the Mission. “We have different people volunteer, but Aaron was definitely an answer to prayer. His faithful commitment these past two years is something to be revered.” AARON SAYS he didn’t have any preconceived
notions about helping the homeless, but he was totally caught off guard by the sheer number of people staying at the Mission. “I was overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help and amazed by the Mission’s ability and efficiency in assisting everyone. I think it’s easy for someone to drive by the Mission’s building and never think twice about how many men and women in our community are homeless or hungry. But walk through the doors of the Mission—it’s an eye opening and humbling experience.”
The needs of those coming to the computer lab cover the gamut. “One minute I might be helping a man create his first email account, and the next I’m helping another create his resume,” said Aaron. “The access a guest has to computers and the internet is so beneficial. This can potentially open some doors in a shorter period of time for those who are already facing an uphill battle. Whether someone wants to check email, complete an online job application, or submit online forms related to their social security card, birth certificate, health benefits, etc.—it’s really a wonderful thing the Mission is doing.”
“THERE’S MORE TALENT THERE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.” “WHILE VOLUNTEERING at the Mission I’ve met
people from all walks of life and varying levels of education,” said Aaron. “Regardless of their situation or circumstance, I’m happy to help in any way I can. But honestly, there are a number of men who are more skilled with computers than I am. There’s more talent there than you can imagine. The world might have knocked these men down, but they still have a ton to give back.”
5 WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
1
PRAY
2
GIVE
3
VOLUNTEER
4
DONATE
5
PARTNER
God can use your prayers to bring hope and healing to the homeless and hurting at the Mission.
Your financial support makes what we do possible. The Mission does not accept government funds.
No matter what your interests or passion, there are opportunities to share hope with those in need.
Donations of nonperishable food, clothing, toiletries, and more go a long way in helping the homeless.
Monthly giving provides reliable revenue that helps sustain our ministries. Become a Partner of Hope by visiting: www.nashvillerescuemission.org/partners-of-hope
Volunteers like Aaron are investing their time and talent in the lives of those who are hurting and in need. Visit nashvillerescuemission.org/get-involved if you’d like to learn more about the Mission and see where God might like to use you. August 2016 / HEART of the MISSION 7
LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED
June 2016
S AV E T H E D AT E S U N DAY, O C TO B E R 2 , 2 0 1 6 Schermerhorn Symphony Center
7:00 p.m. LEARN MORE AT: nashvillerescuemission.org/musicwithamission
Daily Avg.
Monthly
Meals Served
1,681
50,441
Nights of Lodging
784
23,513
Chapel Attendance
545
16,362
Education Hours
100
2,992
Bible Class Attendance
31
919
Decisions & Prayers
32
958
Volunteer Hours
201
6,030
Travel n/a Assistance
95
Program n/a Graduates
10
M ATC HI NG
Challenge
CHECK
is a proud member of
PLEASE RETURN THE ENCLOSED MATCHING CHALLENGE CHECK WITH YOUR GIFT BY SEPTEMBER 30TH AND DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!
Thanks to a group of generous friends, we have a $112,500 Matching Challenge. With your help, we can put TWICE as much to work helping our neighbors in need. This opportunity comes just in time, as we close the books on our fiscal year September 30th. Thank you for your support.
639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org